After India's loss in Perth Test, angry fans explode on Twitter as they thrash Indian openers, poor team selection

After India's loss in Perth Test, exasperated fans explode Twitter as they thrash Indian openers, poor team selection

It took less than two hours for Australia to wipe out India's tail and level series at 1-1 with a 146-run victory in the second Test at Perth on Tuesday.

It was yet another trashy show with the willow from the Indian tail-enders as they failed to even survive a whole session on Day 5 when India were 175 runs away from the target of 287.

In addition to that already existing issue, the Indian openers - Murali Vijay and KL Rahul - burdened the other batsmen by repeatedly failing to give India the required starts.

The Indian opening pair was so bad that the two together scored 22 runs, while Australia's tail-enders (Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood) together scored over 70 runs. 

Moreover, the Indian captain and management miserably failed to read the pitch accurately ahead of the Perth Test.

They didn't go with a regular spinner because Kohli and the management thought the fast bowlers would be good enough to win them a Test at Perth as well. 

"It was really pleasing to see the way our bowlers bowled relentlessly. When we looked at the pitch, we didn't think about that (Jadeja) option. We thought four quicks would be enough. Nathan Lyon bowled really well on this wicket. With the skill levels and consistency that he has to get something out of this wicket was really good. We never thought about the spin option to be honest," Kohli said at the post-match presentation. 

And, the Player of the Match turned out to be Ashwin's counterpart and rival Nathan Lyon, who picked up eight wickets. 

Here's how an angry Twitter reacted to India's Perth loss:

Poor team selection and openers batting like tailenders were the two reasons why India lost. Time to introspect. #AUSvIND #INDvAUS

— Pranay Sinha (@PranaySinha_PS) December 18, 2018

Australia's Tailenders Have Scored More Runs than Indian Openers in These Two Test Matches.
Remember @virendersehwag @GautamGambhir being Dropped From the Team,Even After Giving Better Performance than the Openers are Giving in Recent Test Series in Aus,Eng,SA!#AusvInd #INDvAUS

— Mukesh Dhariwal (@1729_Mukesh) December 18, 2018

India read the perth pitch horribly wrong.going ahead without any spinner on the track where @NathLyon421 got MoM,It just triggers a thought whether touring team should hire some native expert who can vital taking those vital decision @MClarke23 @bhogleharsha #INDvAUS #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/14hE6SaCnk

— Ek Tippa (@ektippa) December 18, 2018

Our top order and Aussies tail are inversely proportional #AusvInd

— Pradeep (@__pradeep_) December 18, 2018

The most exasperating bit about our batting line-up is that the tail has no head. #AUSvIND

— Dr. Ripper (@ItsARipper) December 18, 2018

Three main issues throughout 2018:
1. Openers not sticking around to shield number 3,4,5.
2. Tail not sticking around to add some runs.
3. Opposing team's Tail making runs.#AUSvIND

— V Dani (@Dani031279) December 18, 2018

India have huge issues at the top of the order and that often determines which way the team goes. And the tail is way too long. The fears that the bowling would take care of itself but the batting would struggle have come true here.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 18, 2018

Virat Kohli & Ravi Shastri: Green top, green top, pacers, pacers, aur fast aur fast, spinners nahi chahiye.

Man of the Match: Nathan Lyon

#AUSvIND #INDvAUS

— Nikhil (@42nikhil) December 18, 2018

With a loss in the Perth Test, Kohli equalled former legendary Indian skipper MAK Pataudi but in a record that could hurt him for a while. 

India have now lost nine Tests under the captaincy of Kohli while chasing a target in the fourth innings of a Test - that is the joint most under any Indian captain alongside late Pataudi.